MANILA (ANN/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER) – Creating an remarkable directorial debut with ‘Blue Room’, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagnalan’s film successfully captured the coveted title of Best Foreign Film at the esteemed 19th La Femme International Film Festival in Los Angeles, United States.
This momentous triumph not only crowns her as the festival’s first Filipina filmmaker to receive such a prestigious honour, but also underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing and celebrating the works of talented women creators worldwide, from production to direction.
“Blue Room” delves into the moral dilemma confronting the socially conscious teenage rock band Rebel Rebel as they grapple with the choice of leveraging their privilege to escape arrest or staying true to their ideals.
The compelling drama stars Harvey Bautista, Juan Karlos Labajo, Keoni Jin, Elijah Canlas, Nour Hooshmand, Soliman Cruz, and Bombi Plata.
In addition to its success at the LA Femme International Film Festival, “Blue Room” has received recognition on various international and national platforms.
The film secured three nominations at the Soho International Film Festival in New York, including Best World Showcase Feature Film and Best Acting Performance in a Leading Role – World Feature for Nour Hooshmand and Soliman Cruz.
“Blue Room” made a significant impact at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival last August 2022, securing five prestigious honors, such as Best Director, Special Jury Prize in the main competition, Best Supporting Actor for Soliman Cruz, Best Cinematography by Neil Daza, and Best Production Design by Maolen Fadul.
The independent film got its theatrical release in the Philippines through TBA Studios.
The success of “Blue Room” not only brings honor to the filmmaker herself but also highlights the storytelling and talent that Filipino cinema has to offer on the international stage.
